This weekend marked a sweet milestone for us: my sister invited us over to create our first ever Homemade Advent Wreath!
This entire tradition was completely new to Nicole, so she had never created one before. And to be honest, I hadn’t either! I generally don’t have too much patience for decorative crafts and usually prefer not to spend money on seasonal decorations. But this year, we agreed it was time to celebrate the holidays and try something new together.
For those who may not know this European tradition, an Advent Wreath is a cute decoration that typically holds four candles. For the four weekends (Sundays) leading up to Christmas, you light one candle per week. On the first Advent, you light one; on the second, two, and so on, until the fourth Advent, when all four candles are lit. As I understand it, it’s a lovely way to mark the passing weeks and look forward to the celebration of Christmas.
The Shopping Trip and Supplies
Our first task was ensuring we had all the necessary supplies. My sister picked us up, and we headed out shopping for the base and decorative elements for our Advent Wreath. We managed to find everything we needed in just one store, which made the shopping process incredibly easy—a huge relief!
Here is what we bought to build our beautiful Homemade Advent Wreath:
- The Base ring (or however this thing is called)
- Tree Branches: For the natural base.
- Wire/Silk: To secure the branches to the base.
- Four Candles: The centerpiece of the tradition.
- Assorted Decoration Elements: Pinecones etc.
With our supplies gathered, we headed straight to my sister’s home to start the assembly.
The Assembly and Final Look
Nicole and my sister immediately took charge of the creative process while I supervised—and, more importantly, made sure my sister’s cat didn’t wreak havoc on our supplies! This cultural exchange is a fun part of our life together. Living as an expat in Switzerland: An Interview with my costa rican wife
The first step was the trickiest: attaching the branches to the wreath base to ensure it looked full and symmetrical. This took much more time and precision than I expected, but Nicole did an absolutely fantastic job. In my opinion, the finished base looked perfect.
The next step was much easier: the decoration! We placed all the elements we bought, finding a perfect spot for everything. My sister still had some decorations left over from last year, so we were even able to add some charming details like LED lights and a small reindeer figurine.
Worth the Cost, Priceless for the Memory
Overall, it was a wonderful, heartwarming experience, but I have to be honest: it was also a pricey one. Home decoration items in Switzerland cost surprisingly a lot of money, and the Advent Wreath was no different. We spent around CHF 40 just for a few materials! We usually prefer to use that money in a “more useful” way than on decorations.
However, the experience itself was priceless. We spent a great afternoon with my sister, and Nicole was able to cuddle with the cats, which made the whole thing even more worth the expense. It was the perfect way to spend a cold winter Sunday and truly create this tradition together.
Did you ever create a Homemade Advent Wreath yourself, or are you the type of person who just buys the finished one? Or maybe, like we used to be, you don’t spend money on decorations at all? Let us know in the comments!